Washing machine



Sept. 14, 1926. U 1,600,053

C. MCLEAN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1926 nvmvron CHARLES Mo LE A N BY w I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES CHARLES MOLEAN, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed February 25, 1926.

The present invention relates to improvements in washing machines and has particular reference to those washing machines in which the clothes are swung back and forth peripherally by means of an oscillating dolly. In machines of this character it frequently happens that the clothes are forced toward the center and form a heavy knot which not only prevents proper agitation of the clothes in the water, but also frequently increases the power necessary for oscillating the dolly to such an extent that the motor becomes overloaded. I

It is proposed in the present invention to provide means in combination with a dolly of the character described that will prevent the clothes from gathering in the center and that will furthermore provide a corrugated surface adapted to frictionally engage the clothes from the inside or the center of the wash tub whereby the washing of the clothes is expedited.

Further objects and advantages of my device will appear as the specification proceeds.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a vertical section through a washing machine having my agitating means therein,

Figure 2 a sectional detail view of the agitating means, and

Figure 3 a bottom plan view of the same.

While I have shown only the preferred form of the invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The tub 1 of my washing machine may be of any suitable conventional form, and may be supported on the legs 2. A dolly 8 is slidably mounted on the square shaft 4 which latter is oscillated by any suitable means well known in the art. The same may comprise a pinion 6, a rocking element 7 pivoted at 8, and having mutllated gear sections 9 and 11 at opposite ends, the gear 9 meshing with the pinion 6 and the gear 11 meshing with the teeth 12 of a sector13 pivoted at 14, which latter sector is oscillated by means of a link 16. The free endof the latter is pivoted to an arm 17 fixed co-axially with a gear 18 receiving rotary motion from the motor 19. The whole driving arrangement is mounted on the cover 21 of the tub.

Serial No. 90,517.

tional manner, and comprises a bell shaped element 24 formed with a center bearing 26 for the shaft 4, and with a peripheral horizontal flange 27 from which latter a plurality of blades 28 are suspended.

The essential part of my invention is the ball 29 secured to the bottom end of the shaft 4 in the manner illustrated in the drawing. The ball is preferably provided with an opening 31 at the bottom so that water from the tub may freely enter the same. This eliminates the tendency of floating and consequent binding of the shaft against the underface of the cover, while it allows the water to drain out as soon as the cover is lifted. The ball may, therefore, be made of comparatively light material without being afiected to any great extent by the water. It may be threaded to the bottom end of the shaft 4 as shown at 32, or secured thereto in any suitable manner.

In operation the blades of the dolly engage with the clothes and when the dolly oscillates due to the driving mechanism, the clothes are swung back and forth along peripheral lines. A general tendency developsfor the clothes to work toward the center of the washing machine and to bundle up in a knot. This tendency is effectively prevented by the ball which fills the center. This is of advantage in two ways: it prevents overloading of the motor driving the ball, because the clothes remain relatively free to swing backand forth, and secondly it allows of a more effective agitation of the clothes, it being well understood that in an oscillating motion the point closest to'the center moves the least.

The ball 29 is preferably made corrugated on the outer face which gives the ball the surface of the washing board which has been in common use for a long time, and has been found one of the most effective ones for washing clothes. The frictional engagement between the ball and the clothes adds consid erahly to the efiectiveness of the washing on the-shaft above the ball and turning with the shaft, a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the rim of the bell and wings extending downwardly from the flange so as to surround the ball.

2. In a washing machine of the character described, an oscillating shaft terminating in a ball at the bottom thereof and a dolly slid-' able on the shaft above the ball and turning with the shaft, the dolly; having blades arranged in surrounding relation with the ball. 3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which the ball IlSlllZlClG hollow and formed with a hole in the bottom thereof so as to allow water toenter thereinto.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

CHARLES MCLEAN. 

